Newsletter — May 2024

Hello, friends and fellow community members!

As the summer sun brightens our days, I’m here to share some important updates from our community. This month, I’ll profile 3 key items from the month of May.

1. Passed FY2025 Budget — I am thrilled to announce the approval of the FY25 $94.5 million Proposed Budget. Notably, this includes an $886,000 boost to fully fund the joint school system’s request, primarily aimed at enhancing teacher salaries. We are especially happy to say this has been achieved without raising the real property tax rate, which remains the lowest in the state at $0.62 per $100 of assessed value, and without any increase to the utility rate. Williamsburg has consistently set the pace as a leader, and this budget ensures we continue to progress steadily towards our vision for Williamsburg 2040.
2. Independent Schools Study Team, Public Input Presentation — We’re excited to share progress on the research and feasibility study of an independent school district (which is, disclaimer, still undecided). Dr. Jeffery Smith from Inspiring Results, LLC, has been spearheading this crucial study. An essential component of this process is gathering public input, and the findings and key themes derived from these public inputs were presented to the City Council in May. We have also requested a response from the WJCC School Board on their plan to close the achievement gap between students who live in James City County vs. the City of Williamsburg. We expect to hear back from this by August.
3. William & Mary Graduation — William & Mary Commencement Weekend is a time of celebration and pride for our community. This event is a significant milestone for the class of 2024, which entered Williamsburg in the heat of the pandemic. We are so proud of their accomplishments. It was a joy to celebrate the hard work and success of these students as they embark on their next journey.

Thank you for staying connected and engaged with our community efforts. As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or thoughts to share. I hope you will have a lovely start to summer!

Yours in service,

Caleb

**this Newsletter is mine alone and does not represent the input of the entire City Council